UK virtual reality software company Superscape VR plc signed an agreement with the Japanese division of NEC Corp earlier this month, to deliver a localized version of its Do 3D software. The deal will initially be worth some $500,000. The software, which will be called 3D Planner in the Japanese market is designed to be used on a personal computer by home users, enabling the creation of virtual environments and three dimensional web pages, as well as animation and still imaging. NEC intends to sell the product mainly via the internet, but there plans to stock it in shops as well, either way 3D Planner will sell for 10,000 yen (about $80). The agreement also covers a licensing arrangement for Superscape’s 3D web browser, Viscape, a plug-in for Netscape and Internet Explorer enabling content created in Do 3D to be viewed on the web. This is the second agreement Superscape has struck involving Do 3D, having signed a 400,000 unit bundling agreement with Taiwan-based Britek for use with its graphics cards. Superscape is currently struggling through a period of major losses as it refocuses towards internet and web-based products, away from its traditional goggles and headset virtual reality products. Losses nearly doubled for its full year ending July 31 1997, when Superscape reported a 5.96m pound loss, up from last year’s 2.87m pounds, on revenues of 3.11m pounds, down from last year’s 3.89m pounds. The loss was largely put down to poor US sales.
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